After months of speculation, the future of the American elm tree rooted next to North Cunningham Residence Hall has been decided. The tree will be cut down over fall break, when the majority of campus will be enjoying a four-day vacation. The decision comes as a result of the tree's deteriorating health due to a summer drought and extreme heat.
Talks began in spring 2010 to possibly remove the tree, which was showing signs of failing health. Bill Westerhoff, director of landscape and grounds management, said the tree was not removed last spring because, "The timeline was too tight between the process of bidding work out." Westerhoff said the winning bidder, who will cut down the elm beginning Sat. 0ct. 9 and lasting until Mon. Oct. 11, is Timberline Tree & Landscape Service out of Charlotte Court House, Va.
An inspection in April 2010 by Charlottesville arborist Van Yahres Tree Company showed the tree needed some pruning, which was scheduled for the fall. However, more rapid deterioration showed that pruning would not help the health of the tree. The most recent inspection reported the leaves on the tree currently are at next year's growth and are at only one-third of their size. The inspection also showed the elm to be "hazardous" to the North Cunningham Residence Hall residents and the some 2,500 people who pass near the 175-year-old tree each day.
Westerhoff said weather would help determine if the tree will be removed as scheduled. He said that if additional rainfall occurs, the project might be delayed until November.
Westerhoff noted if more rain had fallen over the summer months, chances are the tree would have survived much longer. However, concerns over the elm bark beetle infecting the tree with Dutch elm disease was also taken into consideration. The elm has been treated with fertilizer and insecticide to prevent the infection that lasts two to three years.
Louise Waller, chair of the Campus Impact committee and space planning & real property manager, said the removal of the tree is "of special interest to many across campus." Waller went on to say in an email, "We understand that loosing this tree will be very hard for many members of the Longwood family."
Waller said, "This decision was not made lightly or in a vacuum." She noted the communication between Longwood and Van Yahres, who she called "very reputable."
The danger of the tree revolves around its structure. There are rotten areas and an obvious large hole in the upper part of the trunk. Cables have been placed in the tree's crown to relieve stress from the weight of some of the larger limbs two years ago, said Westerhoff. A 14-inch diameter limb fell out of the tree on a nice day this past January.
The last large tree to be cut down on Longwood's property was at the Longwood Bed & Breakfast on High St. Westerhoff said emergency tree work was done after graduation in May when a storm passed through the area. It was a black gum measuring 64-inches in diameter.
Westerhoff said some areas would be closed off because of the tree work. The Hiner and Coyner connecter will be closed along with parts of Lancaster Mall, over to Beale Plaza. Traffic will be re-routed behind Hiner and Coyner, beginning at 7 a.m. each day and lasting until the workday is over. The sidewalks will then be reopened. Some rooms in North Main Cunningham will be evacuated as well because of the work. Residents have already been notified if their room is affected.
Large equipment such as chippers, bucket trucks, and a crane will be on scene. A 60-inch saw will be used to cut down the tree. The crane will help pick up large sections and keep them from rolling away. Westerhoff said there should be no threat to the fragile presidential wall that faces Lancaster Hall.
Sophomore Brenna Rubenstein said, "I like looking at it [the tree]. I'm sad it's going to be cut down." Rubenstein said, however, that it is important to remove the tree since it is deemed a safety hazard.
Westerhoff added that nothing would be left of the site once the tree is gone. The trunk will be removed and the area will be leveled off so grass can be planted over the area. As much wood waste as possible will be saved from the tree and stored in a warehouse. Ideas of how the wood can be reused are welcomed and should be sent to Waller at wallermw@longwood.edu. The waste will not be used as mulch because of the threat of Dutch elm disease, said Westerhoff.
"I am sure that most people will be very sad to see it go, however, I am also confident that most people can see its failing health and understand the safety concerns," said Waller. "I hope that the Longwood community understands how much it pained us to make this decision as well as how much thought and investigation went into the final decision to remove the tree."
Waller said the public is invited to a ceremony celebrating the life of the elm tree along with the addition of two new elms, both a cross between an American and Chinese elm, later this fall. The new trees will stand 15-feet tall.
"I hate to see a tree like this go away," said Westerhoff, "but the safety of students is paramount.